A contract for offshore export and interlink cable installation and burial for DONG Energy's Walney Extension offshore wind farm has been awarded to DeepOcean 1 UK Ltd, a subsidiary of DeepOcean Group Holding BV (DeepOcean).

Walney Extension offshore wind farm, currently in its development phase and awaiting a final investment decision, will have a 660 megawatt capacity and when completed will be capable of meeting the electricity needs of over 460,000 UK homes. To be constructed in two phases, 19 kilometres from Walney Island off the Cumbrian Coast, the wind farm will comprise of up to 90 turbines, each with a 7 or 8 megawatt output.

Under the contract, offshore work will be undertaken by DeepOcean's with a new cable installation vessel, Maersk Connector which is due to be available for offshore installation works during 2016.

DeepOcean's scope includes route engineering as well as the installation and trenching of a total of 136 km offshore export cables and a 23 km interlink cable. The cables will be pulled ashore near Heysham and will link the two offshore substation platforms at the windfarm to shore.

Peter Rom Poulsen, Engineering, Procurement & Construction Director for DONG Energy's Walney Extension project, said: "We are pleased to be able to call on the experience of a company like DeepOcean for this vital cable installation and trenching work.

He added: "Placing this contract takes us another step towards what, on completion, is expected to be the world's largest offshore wind farm."

Otter Maeland, DeepOcean's EVP Greater North Sea, said, "We are delighted to be expanding our relationship with DONG Energy from the offshore oil and gas market to the key growth area of offshore wind. DeepOcean's investments and capabilities illustrate how the UK supply chain is working hard to support our Customers in bring clean power to millions of UK families."

About DONG Energy: DONG Energy is one of the leading energy groups in Northern Europe. Our business is based on procuring, producing, distributing and trading in energy and related products in Northern Europe. Headquartered in Denmark, DONG Energy has around 6,500 employees, including 600 in the UK. The Group generated DKK 67 billion (EUR 9.0 billion) in revenue in 2014. For further information, see www.dongenergy.co.uk